Great Lakes A School Q&A

BeeBee - my son is an IC

Yes, as long as he doesn't have duty.  That's a fixed rotation, so he should be able to tell you which of his weekends are wide open.

Hi ladies, does anyone know how the paternity leave works while they are in A school? Does he have to put in a notice ahead of time to get the days off or do they give it to him once I'm in the hospital? 

Michelle, I answered in the GF group.  Basically, P-leave is not for the birth.  If he's in classes already, don't expect it to be granted. They may give him a couple days if it doesn't interfere with his training.  He's far more likely to get it after A school, in conjunction with his regular leave.  He needs to ask as it does vary by individual circimstance and command.

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/tflw/pages/paternityl...

Thank you Anti M, do you know if they will at least allow him to be there for the birth? 

I don't know.  I'd guess yes.  He should talk to his COC, give them the due date, etc. and ask about the birth.  They may be strict, but they aren't monsters.  He should do things like line up buddies who can cover his watches when the time comes, let his instructors know in case he misses classes, so he can make it up. That isn't impossible.  

Angie is correct, the ten days of paternity leave is only for married sailors.  If his school allows him to take ten days regular leave, that is their decision, not a Navy-wide regulation.  Which school is the big question.  

@Kilie, thank you!  That is exactly what I was looking for and for all they have been through, I think they are "needs" :)  If he leaves there and goes to FL for his next school, can he have regular clothes there? And he has asked for his X-Box, but if he is only going to be there 3 weeks, should I really bother? I was thinking computer, phone, and iPod???  Thanks!!

Thanks so much for your feedback ladies! I was also wondering if anyone has ever stayed at the Crossland Economy Studios Waukegan? I'm heading to Great Lakes to visit for about two weeks, I was curious to know if the hotel and the area is a good area, is the hotel clean etc.

Michelle, I would stay at the Navy Lodge. It is a very clean place and close to base. So you won't have to spend too much on cab fare

I have a few weeks to go, but at what point do you make reservations for your hotel.  I assume you have to wait until your PIR date is decided?

wfindley, I would make your hotel reservations as soon as you have confirmation of the PIR date from the form letter. Most hotels have a liberal policy on cancellations, changes etc, and the hotels can fill up fast. Be sure to ask for the Navy graduation rate (most of them have a discount for PIR).

You know it was snowing pretty hard for TSC to call a "snow day" for the night classes!!

Hello everyone i moved to Great Lakes about 2 weeks ago anyone else new to the area or live in forrestal village??

If my son is staying at GL for A school, can he have any regular clothes, shoes, etc.  I think they can have their boxers now (know he is ready to be rid of tighty whities!) but what about other clothes.  Shorts to lounge around in? T-shirts?

I took my husband some shorts,underwear,socks and t shirts to his graduation he can wear them in his barracks but not outside of that until he phases up. But she is right their clothes don't fit them my husband needs to get smaller clothes still. 

Thank you all so much!  As always, full of great information and advice!  What would I do without this site??

My son graduated "A"school Friday!!! He is now awaiting orders to leave overseas!

CourtRenee I took my son some boxers and socks. He later went shopping to get pants and shirts but I think he had to class up before he could wear them....which only took a few weeks. I took his phone and laptop too. My daughter is due on the 28th!!! lol ConnieA my son is MM

They get to spend friday, saturday and sunday with the family. they have to be back at the base at night. i think is was by 10pm. on friday after graduation we spent about 20 mins with my son they he went back to get ready to ship over to the other base and called us at around 3pm that we should come get him. the other base is just past RTC, there is a vistor center there open till 4pm. he finaly showed up about 430. our biggest mistake was thinking he would be let go right away so we did not have lunch. enjoy your time with your sailor. good luck. my son is still on hold in GL

After Grad,, my son was not allowed to do sleepovers,,they were allowed to leave in the morning til 8-9pm, everyday.  and back to their barracks for muster (rollcall)

Not sure on what priviliges they have for A school?   vet moms?

Your son may need you to drive on base to check him out. I would strongly suggest if you're there for the weekend, first thing, go into the office with your sailor and get a weekend pass to drive onto the base. Otherwise you will need to do it every morning.

It is a hassle, as your sailor will have to walk to the gate, get in the car with you, and drive back to his ship to sign him out.

Liberty privileges are based on how long they've been there/out of boot camp.

Phase 1 is right out of basic, and is restricted to returning to base by 8:30 muster (or whatever time Chief tells him/her to be back). They're not allowed to wear civilian clothes and can only leave base with 2 liberty buddies.

Phase 2 Sailors can wear civvies when not on duty, need only 1 liberty buddy and can stay out until midnight. Depending on their Chief, a few things need to be done to "Phase Up". Things like passing a uniform and room inspection, maybe a fitness test, and some briefings about binge drinking, sexual assault, etc. A Phase 2 Sailor can stay overnight, with a special permission "chit" (everything needs a chit!)

I don't know about Phase 3 yet... I'll tell you once my son gets there!

@Pat1930a: My son was on hold in THU (on the RTC side) for over 70 days! Once he got to NSTC, he had INDOC right away, but then was on hold for about 2-3 weeks before starting school.  Tell your Sailor to hang in there!

yes, great info. :)

>Jayme, my son is on hold to start ATT school, then off to SD for STG A School. he has been on hold since Feb 4. So far he said there are only 10 Sailors waiting to start ATT school, from what I found out a class had started on 1/31 and goes on for about 52 days(week days that is). When is you BF PIR date?

Any technical rate will most likely go to ATT before A-School. It's really common to be on hold until they have enough Sailors to make a class. While on hold, they'll do odd jobs like cleaning, salting the sidewalks, stand watch, etc., but it is a lot of down time.

Aloha! I have been following the discussion about ATT school; my sailor is one of those waiting. Is the class 52 days? I had thought 6 weeks. Also, how many sailors does it take to class up?

I'm very curious to know the answer to the ATT school. Is it different for different rates? My husband finishes BECC in 2 weeks and then will start ATT school. He said his is only 21 days.  

Ok I have another question... Does everyone go to C school directly after A school? Even reserve?  His A school is 10 months I believe.  How long is C school and where would that be AECF.. same location as A school?  

Here is the aefc rate card link, just remember every thing is subject to change. Even in school rules are different between the ships (dorms) I searched for as much info before my sailor went in, now that he is in school the most important information I learned is to go with the flow. FYI the turn around time for FCs is about a year, could get lucky and be only 9 month.

C school all depends on what system they learn, which they will know at the end of A school

https://www.cool.navy.mil/enlisted/rating_info_cards/aecf.pdf

I don't know how they work it with the reserves, but it is very unlikely that your sailor would go directly to C School. When my son finished A School they shipped them out based on class ranking. My son was near the top and I can't recall how long he waited, but he was able to use some of his time off to come home. That time between is just spent cleaning and standing watch, so it's a good time to get away if they have time saved up.

If I recall correctly, I think the last sailors were waiting about 6 months to get sent to C school. Seems like much of their careers are wasted while waiting for their next assignment.

Could someone help me understand how A school works in the sense of ; when they are finished/ when orders are given and any other detail I may need in order to understand?  Our son was told A school would be 9 weeks and he is now going to be well beyond that time.  Also told he would get his orders this week and still does not have them. I feel if I understand a little better it will be easier to encourage him :)

thanks

It is a complicated process.  I can give an over-simplified version  ... commands and ships need XX amount of sailors of certain rates, and of certain paygrades. They give these manning requests to the detailers who must sort out which sailors are where who can fill the billet and who is needed where.  Fleet sailors take priority over sailors at training commands.  Also, orders must be funded, it takes money to move a sailor.  If the budget is compromised in any way, orders can slow down.

That, or they're waiting for a seat at a C school to open, the training pipeline can back up for any number of reasons. 

Hello everyone! Man, am I glad to see this group! My son is very quiet about his schooling other than a few things and I'm always confused as to how to support him. I was wondering if anyone knows what may be a good b-day gift for my sailor? I know just what to get him if he was here but I would like to get him something that he may need/desire while in the Navy/school. So far I have just sent cards and food as a care package. :/

I think, if I may be allowed to translate what Anti just said, was:

Keep repeating to yourself, "Needs of the Navy...Needs of the Navy...." Otherwise you will drive yourself crazy trying to figure it all out. I've seen a couple of things transpire that made no sense to me. Seems to be a lot of wasted time with the hurry up and wait mentality of the military.

Thank you Angie, this is a bit clearer and helps me understand.  Shouldn't they have given him somewhat of an answer?  He was just told "they (orders) are not in yet"  Would he be informed ahead of time if he was going to a C school? 

Also, what is MWR and TA?

Yes, for sure we need to keep our Congressmen accountable to the changes that are made...thank you for the reminders to all of us

Blessings

pj...as to birthday gifts, depending on where your sailor is currently within the Navy, you might want to wait on that gift.

You don't want to get him extra stuff he needs to stow unless it's something he really needs. My son thought he wanted a certain type of boots for his next assignment then found out he wouldn't be allowed to wear them.

I would suggest either a gift card or perhaps a promise to get him something later. Not sure, but I'd check to see if the NEX has gift cards.

Perhaps some of the Moms have other ideas, but I'd say it truly depends on his personal needs.

It's my understanding that once they receive their hard copy orders, they can visit a personal property office for instructions on how to ship personal items at Navy expense. Otherwise, a ring is a good idea; or you could offer to pay their airfare for leave.